‘Touched and Untouched’

November 10, 2011

Getting to the Gordon Olson Library at Minot State University might not be the easiest thing to do, but a trip there will be well worth it to see the current display.

The exhibit, titled "Touched and Untouched" was put together by 16 artists in an "invitational print exchange" that showcases traditional litho-graphy and serigraphy, interspersed with encaustic, monoprint and mezzotint works.

The artists created numbered editions of their own pieces, which they then shared with the others, including one for the touring show. Most on display are numbered "1 of 21" prints.

Article Photos

Terry J. Aman/MDN - - Printmaker Susan Morrisey’s “Flight of the Dragon” is a work in relief, wood, linoleum and collograph.

Terry J. Aman/MDN - - “Partly Cloudy” by Rebecca Sefcovic Uglem

Terry J. Aman/MDN - - “Touched and Untouched” by Eric A. Johnson

Terry J. Aman/MDN - - 'r.Iron.o 10108” by Anna Jacobson

But the exhibit is interesting not only technically, in examining the various methods of print production, but also for the thoughtful subject matter.

Each is a story unto itself. Susan Morrissey's "Flight of the Dragon," for example, seems initially to be of the mythical creature until closer inspection reveals the dragonfly. Ryan Stander's "Untitled" lithograph shows three bicyclists covering a map, leading to speculation about the cities that are marked off.

In lithography, a porous surface, normally limestone is used. The image is drawn on the limestone with a greasy medium. Acid is applied, transferring the grease to the limestone, leaving the image "burned" into the surface.

Even "Nocturne" by Sue Fink, at first glance simply a study in dark blue, leads one to appreciate the encaustic technique she uses in her serigraph. Serigraphy is essentially screen printing, and encaustic is using hot wax to form the image.

Another of these on display is "Partly Cloudy" by Rebecca Sefcovic Uglem -- not encaustic, but a straightforward serigraph -- literally, "silk writing" -- calling to mind, perhaps, the Morton Salt Girl.

"Touched and Untouched" is on display through Nov. 30 and admission is free and open to the public. Parking on campus is unrestricted after 5 p.m. and the library, at 500 University Avenue, is most easily approached from the west or south.